SPECIAL SECTION:
the ability to educate a virtual classroom from the comfort of
their own home, and expanding access to applications that were
once inaccessible.
Another key focus in education this year is on ensuring
that students feel safe, connected, supported, and challenged
through a variety of different ways. School culture and safety
are being addressed and adapted based on recent school
safety concerns across the country. Teachers, administrators,
families, and community groups are putting a critical focus
on social-emotional learning activities to facilitate a better
look into dealing with anger management, conflict resolution,
empathy, and other important life skills. School is often the
only place where social and emotional learning deficiencies can
be addressed; therefore teaching students these invaluable life
skills ultimately prepares them to become active members of
society. This is another pivotal point in a teacher’s role in the
classroom.
Teachers continue to play an integral role in the lives of
students, one that cannot be replaced with even the most
advanced type of technology. This isn’t to say that the way
we taught even 15 years ago is suitable. Teachers’ roles are
continually changing, and their need to adapt is critical to
students’ success. School administrators must also support and
train educators with the tools and techniques they are being
given to ensure successful integration in the classroom.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
It was recently reported that teenagers spend nine hours a day
with technology. Whether in the form of social media, listening
to music, playing games, or texting with friends, technology
plays an integral role in their lives. Educators have taken note
and are now reaching teenagers where they are spending a
majority of their time. Digital tools are providing teachers
with the opportunity to incorporate personalized learning to
students in a way that benefits them. For example, AI is being
used to allow for greater individualized and differentiated
learning to be conducted by teachers. Applications that provide
learning and testing for students can identify opportunities for
them to excel, flag potential gaps in understanding, and provide
feedback on learning progress.
One exciting feature that will dramatically enhance
technology capabilities in the classroom is the integration of 5G
technology. Predicted to be ubiquitous by 2020, 5G technology
allows for data speeds almost 1,000 percent faster than 4G,
empowering educators with the ability to provide a seamless
platform for limitless learning. 5G will allow for applications to
run without fail or interruption, download speeds to increase
dramatically, and a significantly greater number of devices to
be able to connect without delays. Just another exciting way
technology is expected to enhance learning.
EARLY EDUCATION
The next generation is starting to have children. This
generation grew up in the 1980s and early 1990s, when
televisions were “old news” and computers were just starting to
creep into people’s homes. Gen Yers, as they’ve been named,
EDUCATION
can still vividly remember the sound of the dial-up tone as
they anticipated the number of emails that would rush into
their inbox once the modem finally connected. For these new
parents, the answer to any question is, and almost always was,
just a click away. These parents are aware of the benefits of early
childhood learning and of the plethora of options available
to them. In addition, shifting demographic patterns, with an
increase in two working parents and single-parent households,
are calling for affordable options for child care.
As the importance and positive impact that early childhood
education has on toddlers is realized, the demand for early
education options continues to increase and expand offerings. A
few key focus areas have been identified as important initiatives
that will shape the young minds of the future, including early
literacy, technology in the classroom, and emotional, cognitive,
social early learning (ECSEL).
Early literacy teaches children letter recognition, word
sounds, vocabulary, and awareness of storytelling. Each of
these key fundamental elements helps lay the groundwork for
success in reading in the future. Early literacy programs can also
be found at local libraries as a way for parents to engage their
children even if they are not enrolled in a preschool program.
Technology is something our children must learn and
understand to succeed today. But it is important for technology
in the classroom to be used properly and not abused. Early
childhood educators are combining technologies with other
types of play and hands-on activities to get the most out of the
tools available to them. Such tools allow for young learners
to work cooperatively on learning activities with the use of
technology to enhance their lessons.
ECSEL focuses on teaching children how to understand and
manage emotions to become more confident, resilient, and
understanding, which are all critical to the success of a young
learner. Laying the foundation to build an early understanding
of feelings and emotions allows children to better recognize
emotions in others and how to cope with them. These valuable
life skills add a tremendous amount of value to a young child’s
understanding of healthy relationships with his/her peers. ■
SOUTH FAYETTE
❘
FALL 2019
31